article St. Xavier Playoff Preview

[AvidTiger]

St. Xavier is picking up steam heading into the playoffs. They finished the season 6-4, finishing third in district 4, and are riding a two game win streak heading into the playoffs. The Tigers seem to be clicking at the right time and are starting to get healthy, so they could be a tough out for any team in the playoffs.

 

District Play

 

The tigers finished 1-2 in district play with their lone win to manual by a score of 24-23 and the two losses coming to Trinity and Male respectively. Their highest rated offensive player has been out since week 2 while their best offensive player missed the T and Male games. Male defeated St. Xavier in a 44-40 shoot out, in a game where it seems there was no defense, the defense of both teams actually made key stops to provide the opportunity at a W. Trinity defeated the tigers 29-17 in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate; midway through the fourth the score was 20-17 but the Rocks made a few more big plays to seal the deal. Charles Walker, the teams best offensive player returned in time to play the crimsons of manual. While posting 100 total yards in his first game back he sealed the deal on a last second 25 yard td reception. The seeding for the district is as follows: Male, Trinity, St. X, Manual. Though Male is seeded at the top, it seems X has the most momentum heading into the playoffs.

 

Possible Playoff Opponents

The tigers travel to Fern Creek in the first round of the playoffs to face the 2 seed from district five. Their lone loss in the district comes to the Eastern Eagles by a score of 15-14. The Eagles and Tigers share 2 common opponents, Ballard and Manual. Eastern beat Ballard 31-21 and lost to Manual 46-21, while the Tigers defeated both squads. X beat Ballard 32-14 and Manual 24-23. If common opponents is any indication, the tigers shall roll in the first round and get a much anticipated rematch with the bulldogs of male, assuming they win. Male is 9-1 and the number one seed in the "super district", their only loss coming at the hands of manual 32-29. The Tigers could face 4-5 Trinity, 8-2 Manual, then 10-0 Scott County, or 7-2 Henry Clay. If the tigers make it to the championship game, the possible contenders would be 10-0 Simon Kenton, 8-2 Mcracken County, or 8-2 Henderson County.

 

Team Capsule

Though I don't have stats for players on the year, it's safe to say everyone is having a "good year". Earlier in the year qb play and injuries seemed to be the undoing of this team. But as the season progressed and coaching changes occurred the team seems to be finding its identity. Nagle has been building on his performance from the Trinity game and has gotten better every week. In this past week's win over Cincinatti St. Xavier he played probably his best game of the season, completing 13 of 15 pass attempts with a td. The running backs are all getting healthy and look primed for a big post-season. The offense is poised to make some noise in the playoffs. The defense led by Sean Lee like Andrew McCormick has come along as well though they still have a weak spot. They can generate pressure when Walsh chooses so, but their pass coverage is still not what it should be heading into the post season. This may haunt them en route to the 6a championship, but they have gotten better in making plays to win games. The special teams is solid and should be a staple for this team in the playoffs.

 

I like the tigers chances in every game they could possibly play in the playoffs, but that's not to say they are going to win the championship. This year the playoffs are more open than anytime before, but I believe the cliche, whoever wants it more, can be applied this year. I believe these seniors are hungry to prove their doubters wrong and bring the trophy home to poplar level.

 

Go Tigers, it's been a while since 2009.

[Loose Rhythm]

Good Stuff Avid: Prognosticators seem to brush over the fact that the Tigers leading rusher (and becoming a real pass threat from the slot) was missing from the two losses you indicate in your column.

 

The play calling has become better, and now that the team is healthy, the Tigers are the ones to beat. I don't think MALE has seen Walker healthy in two years. I for one, hope they get past Fern Creek easily so that they can.

[LongTimeReader]

Good post AT!

 

The one thing that has really impressed me with this team this year is that with all the adversity they have faced this year, in every game they have made a run to put themselves back in the game. Some of those opportunities did not get them a 'W', but they have always been right on the edge this season. Even the BG game they had an opportunity to get within in 1 TD and they could not convery in the red zone.

 

I feel that this team and coaching staff are on the same page now. I don't know if they will play until December, but I don't think too many teams want to see them right now.

 

The two question marks during the season have been QB play and defense. I believe the QB play has been answered, and the defense has been a little bit better each week. With the defense they just can't miss tackles, that is what will hurt them the most. They're going to blitz, but the secondary has to be sure tacklers when it happens.

 

Good luck Tigers!

 

Remember November, Play in December!

[Xgrad-JAGdad]

Good report AT.. What can you offer on a OL named Zane Meiners? Will he play college ball?

[AvidTiger]

The defense has improved and the qb play has improved by leaps and bounds, but I'm still not sold on the offensive coaching minds. Some of the play calling is questionable at times, Davis isn't always given the ball in short yardage situations, but it is improving none the less.

[AvidTiger]

Good report AT.. What can you offer on a OL named Zane Meiners? Will he play college ball?

 

6'7 308 lbs, his heart is not in football and the school in which he wants to attend for academics is on the tip of my tongue but i can't recall at the time.

[LongTimeReader]

With winning on a last second TD against Manual and beating Cincy X, how is the mood or confidence level around the team now?

[AvidTiger]

With winning on a last second TD against Manual and beating Cincy X, how is the mood or confidence level around the team now?

 

Up, up, up and away.

[Xecute the Game Plan]

AT => Thanks for the reports this year. Looking forward to 4 more . . .!